SEVEN Eventing Ireland one-days were staged in July when Lucy McIlroy returned to form in no uncertain manner and, at time of writing, she and her mother Angela’s Irish Sport Horse Major Black had kicked clear of Godfrey Gibbons and Milchem Miami at EI110 level by 58 points to 20.

Based with Smith Brothers Eventing, 20-year-old McIlroy and the traditionally-bred 13-year-old Imperial Hights gelding brought up a hat trick when winning the Cullen Equine Solutions EI110 (Open) at the inaugural running of The Clare on Saturday, July 8th. Major Black, who was bred in Co Monaghan by Amelia Coniskey, is a full-brother of Imperial Wonder who McIlroy qualified for the Junior/Young Rider event horse class at this week’s Dublin Horse Show.